FRIENDSHIP

“Friendship is a priceless gift that cannot be bought or sold, but its value is far greater than a mountain made of gold.”

M.A.

True story!

SNOW ELEMENTS

The girl from The Valley of The Sun may never tire of the Awesomeness of the Midwest snow!

It’s so magical!!!

LETS GO HELP EVERYONE

“The most meaningful way to succeed is to help others succeed.”

Adam Grant

LAST NIGHTS FULL MOON

SALAD

A delightfully perfect salad! It was yummy!

Yes, I always believe in adding fruit to my salad!

ART

“Painting is poetry which is 

seen and not heard, 

and poetry is painting which is heard but not seen.”

Leonardo Da Vinci

A VISIT WITH LAURA

I stopped in on my dear friend Laura today. I have know her for several years, and absolutely adore her. 

When I first met her I think I first fell in love with her red glasses, spikey cropped hair, concert T-shirt and colorful converse. 

She is the same age as my mother, but this lady is truly a delightful free spirit. 

Everyone that knows Laura, loves her, I think that says a lot about who she is. 

I hope when I’m 77 I’m as active as she is and I’m still having as much fun in everything I do. 

I’m grateful for her friendship and her example of living life to its fullest. 

VISITORS AT THE RED BRICK HOUSE

SELF LOVE

SELF LOVE

WON’T GIVE YOU

BUTTERFLIES

BUT IT WILL

GIVE YOU WINGS

IN THE KITCHEN

My first attempt at Cruffins. They are tasty. 

I’ll do things a bit differently next time. 

Also have beef stew in the crock pot and a seasoned turkey breast in the air fryer. Good food prep morning here at the red brick house.

HOW’S THAT WORKING

I know I’m new to the Midwest, I still love snow days and all the winter stuff and things. But… 

I’m not sure this is how road clearing is supposed to work!

HIS ONE THING

He has his one thing… I want to find my one thing!

https://youtu.be/LVI8veUnSLQ?si=LC5GkL1Tc4Ki-wx8

JIMMY CARTER

“I have learned that our greatest blessings come when we are able to improve the lives of others.”

Jimmy Carter 

THE COMPANY

“Which is more important”

Asked the panda,

“the journey or the destination?”

“The company.”

Replied the dragon.

BY SEASON

Makes me want to garden!

https://www.thehealthy.com/nutrition/fruits-vegetables-in-season-every-month-of-year/?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter

SPOT ON

Totally spot on! I laughed so hard!!!!

SHARE A LITTLE

“No expression of love is wasted, and even the smallest gestures tend to go much further than we think they will.”

​

– BRAD ARONSON

CALM

Train your mind to be calm in every situation.

BIRTHDAY WISHES

Today I wish Happy Birthday to three Grandchildren!

Kailey who is 18 today

Brighton who is 14 

and Ace who is 11!

In two days my wishes will go out to Xavier on his 16th birthday!

I love you all! ♥️ Eek

SNOW TRANQUIL

I love winter from my cozy little home.

SCRATCH

Cat head biscuits… they turned out perfectly! 

SNOW

It’s 6am on the first Sunday of the year. I’m in my flannel nighty and two pairs of socks, cozied up on the sofa, under my Irish wool blanket, with a cup of cocoa, watching winter turn my neighborhood into a frosted gingerbread picture postcard. 

The snowflakes are fat and starting to pile up. Sadly, they are sticking to the road as well, but at this moment, I have no where better to be.

WINTER STORM

We are supposed to be getting a winter storm tonight. Snow and Ice! This girl from the Valley of The Sun still thinks that sounds so exciting!!!

So I did the things I thought were important… I cleaned my house, I made a couple meals to have in the fridge too. 

And yes I will be heading to the grocery store shortly. But not to get milk and eggs and bread like every one else, I just need some carrots to make beef stew. I have two pair of socks on and a real cozy scarf, so bring on this January 2025 storm!

I’m ready!!!

RED SHIRT

I have a red t-shirt that has been my night shirt for about 30 years. Saying that makes me cringe more than a bit. It’s just an oversized long tee. It’s soft and comfy. 

I haven’t really worn it much in the last six years or so. But every once in a while a pull it out of the drawer and think ‘oh yes, my cozy friend’. I assume everyone has a shirt like that. Mine just happens to be a shirt I sleep in. Last night was cold, so I took it out of my drawer. But as I put it on, I realized just how truly loved it had become. 

The edges are all raw, there are more holes than I can count. Yes, it still feels great, but if I was ever actually seen in this poor shirt I would definitely be embarrassed. 

So today, I am being the grown up I profess to being, and I’m throwing it out. 

I have lots of night wear; silky nighties to flannel gowns. 

But for some reason, my heart hurts more than a little over that ratty red t-shirt. 

… the deed is done, it’s in the trash bin. 

Sigh … red shirt.

HE AGED WELL

FIRST RIDE OF THE YEAR

Two pair of socks

One pair of knee socks (above the knee really)

One pair of leg warmers (to cover my knees)

One pair of thermal pants

One pair of leggings

One pair of jeans

Two tank tops

A polyester long-sleeved top

An arm and shoulder scarf

An infinity neck scarf 

Fingerless mittens 

A wool beeny

Leather ankle boots

Full length puffer jacket

Leather gloves

Full face helmet 

And yes I was totally Toasty!!!!!

WELCOME

In 2025 I will be 

taking short trips, 

long trips, day trips, 

food trips, anything that consists of traveling and new experiences.

This is what I will be doing!

JANUARY ONE

https://actionforhappiness.org/calendar-monthly/2025-01

HAPPY NEW YEAR

LAST DRIVE OF 2024

 I took a drive with my co-pilot and Macklemore today. It rained and was super windy. There weren’t a lot of other people driving in the woods, I was grateful. But I made a point to find the roads less traveled. Once I entered the woods, the tunes were turned off and our conversation truly started. I try to be present and aware as we chat. As I was driving 20 miles an hour down a very narrow road, I happed to come across two deer. They were just hanging out, so I rolled my window down and thanked them for making it a perfect day. We just sat there for about four minutes. Lovely! Sometimes, I have to pull over because the conversation gets deep and I need to put pen to paper. It also helps me put perspective to the conversation. I parked in a great spot, so after making some notes in my journal, I got out and took a bit of a walk. I love how the wind sounds in the trees, even when there aren’t many leaves left. The rain drops were small, but cold! My walk was short; I was chilly and wet but it was great! After our conversation was pretty much complete, I thanked my co-pilot for his time and wisdom. I put a new rout in my GPS and headed home. 

Here’s my last drive of 2024! 

SILENT SENTINELS

There is something about the woods in winter. The foliage is gone, yet the trees still stand guard. 

Each bare branch looks so vulnerable, yet with quiet strength each tree stands resolute. 

Throughout the long gray winter, they stand as silent sentinels.

GRANDDOGS

Just two of my favorite GrandDogs!

Oh I love them!

Both these ladies love their Grammy, but that little one knows just how to steal your heart!

SUNSET

Arizona Today

RETIREMENT

I have a friend who is retiring in just a few days. I’m so very happy for him. 

I know he has projects to keep him busy… 

8 vehicles, 5 horse drawn vehicles, 4 antique engines and several weapons to play with from civil war era that he wants to modernize. 

I know he is no couch potato and he assures me that he will continue to do volunteer work. 

I hope retirement surrounds him with a new group of great people. 

I hope all his time is filled with things that make him happy. 

I hope retirement is a blessing to my friend. 

He has always been a blessing to me.

Happy Retirement Bill!!!

THE PHOENIX

I read this the other day on another blog and it resonated with me.

I was 12 when I first came across the mythical bird called Phoenix while reading Harry Potter.

This magical creature would burst into flames at the end of its life, and then reemerge from its ashes, brand new and ready to live another life.

I immediately fell in love with the phoenix and the powerful concept of reinvention that it represented.

Imagine a life where you can rewrite your story, a life where you are the author of your destiny, where every day is an opportunity to redefine who you are and what you can achieve.

Sounds good, right?

Now, let me tell you something you probably already know:

Just like the Phoenix, you too have the power to rise from the ashes of your past self, shed the limitations that hold you back, and emerge as someone entirely new.

It’s a gift you have since you were born, and in this post, I am going to lay out a roadmap that you can use to embrace your power of re-invention and rise like the mighty phoenix.

https://plumhealthyfine.com/how-to-reinvent-yourself/

NEXT

Again I see it in myself… never content, never satisfied, always wanting whatever is coming next.

As I sit here in my cozy chair with the Christmas tree lights still lit…

 I just put in an order for a dozen or so seed catalogs!

So excited!!!!

BECOME REFILLABLE

"People who wonder whether the glass is half empty or half full are missing the point. The glass is refillable." 

MY CHRISTMAS TREASURE

ALL OVER THE WORLD

CHRISTMAS EVE

THE SHORTEST DAY OF THE YEAR

Happy Anniversary to The Keppner’s ♥️

SOLID ADULTING

I ordered new flatware. Not an earth shattering event. But it was big for me. The utensils that have lived in my kitchen drawer were the same utensils I have had for just shy of thirty nine years. They were a gift. And a good set, still in great shape. I think all the pieces are still accounted for. One fork is a bit wonky, it took a trip through the garbage disposal once, and I’m not too sure just what happened to the sugar spoon… but it always was my favorite anyway. 

But today that well loved set got boxed up, and will go into storage until someone needs a set of flat wear. 

Tonight in my kitchen drawer is a freshly washed set of Henckel cutlery. I like them, and as my son said “it was a ‘solid adulting’ thing to do”.

LIVE TO LEARN

“I think that the reason to live is to learn.”

​

– ISABEL ALLENDE

WELCOME TO YOUR LIFE

Over forth years and they still make me smile, truly some of my all time favorite tunes are from these guys!

https://youtu.be/11o0db3MR9Q?si=Gk7W6SGxQvo3eTwX

HOLIDAY FEELING

I spent Saturday shopping with my daughter. Then playing with my granddaughter. Sunday I made floral arrangements for my front porch. (Now I understand why the premade ones are so expensive.) Then I wrapped all the gifts. All the gifts. 

It was a good weekend. But I still have lots to do before the family Christmas party next Sunday. So this morning I made Cranberry Sauce. And oh it smells so lovely!

 

HOLIDAY DATE NIGHT

FUN

Fun is taking time to celebrate being alive.

Melody Beattie

I Concur!!!

NINETY NINE

Happy Birthday Mr. Van Dyke

ARTSY